Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 July 2005 — Page 26

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D SECTION FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2005

Fever continue win streak

Indiana Fever forward Tamika Catchings fouls Detroit's Cheryl Ford on her way to the basket. Catchings was named the WNBA's Player of the Week for the second time this season. (Photo/W. Thomas)

By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

The Indiana Fever hasn’t played this well since...well, ever. After defeating the Detroit Shock for the third time this season 59-58 Sunday afternoon, Indiana improved to 11-6 continuing its best start in franchise history. They moved to five games above .500 for the first time in its history. At Recorder press time the Fever were firmly holding down second place in the Eastern Conference, 2.5 games behind first place Connecticut. “Any of our three games with Detroit could have gone the other way,” Fever coach Brian Winters said after the team’s victory at the Palace of Auburn Hills. “We went to overtime with them in our first win, and we’ve gone to the wire with them twice in the past three days. We have to feel good about beating another good team three times

in a row.” Going down to the wire, Fever rookie guard Tan White missed two free throws with four seconds remaining but Tamika Catchings tipped the rebound off of the second miss to White who proceeded to dribble out the clock. Winters called the play, “intelligent.” “(Tan) had the presence of mind to get out of the lane and dribble away from another foul to stop the clock,” he said. “That was intelligent play, and it is the little things like that that win ball games.” Indiana forced the Shock into a season-high 24 turnovers, matching the same figure Detroit had two nights ago in Indianapolis. It was Indiana’s third straight game to force at least 24 turnovers, and its third consecutive game holding its opponent under 60 points. Catchings led the Fever with 21 points while Cheryl Ford led the Shock with 18. ► See FEVER, D5

Aiiest relishes return to competition

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Shortly after Ron Artest knocked down his third jumper in four shots at the Minnesota summer league, one fan in the sparse crowd at Target Center leaped up to boldly proclaim, “Ron is back!” It was easily heard in the near-empty arena, and the Indiana Pacers couldn’t be happier. The embattled forward returned to competitive action last Friday for the first time since being suspended for his role in the now infamous brawl with Detroit Pistons fans on Nov. 19Artest had 23 points on 8-of-15 shooting, four steals and four rebounds in 35 minutes of a 72-64 loss to Houston.

“It’s been 73 games plus the playoffs, and finally to get back in front of some referees, that felt pretty good,” Artest said. Artest missed the final 73 games ofthe regular season and all of the playoffs for fighting with fans in a frightening scene at the Palace. After tussling with Ben Wallace, Artest bolted into the stands after a fan who he thought hit him in the face with a cup. The impending melee has been replayed endlessly on national television. Commissioner David Stern reacted swiftly and harshly, suspending Artest for the remainder of the season, Stephen Jackson for 30 games, and Jermaine

O’Neal for 25, which was later reduced to 15. Now, Artest is trying to put that all behind him, playing with a group of rookies, unproven veterans and free agent journeymen in front of a smattering of fans in the NBAs summer league. “It’s great to see him in a uniform,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “It’s been a long time. This is a significant step, him being here, being back with the team.” Even without Artest, Indiana gave the Pistons all they could handle, losing in six games in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. ► See ARTEST, D5

Celebrity basketball game

The Edgerrin James Foundation and Amp Harris Productions held their annual Saving Our Youth Celebrity Basketball Game inside the RCA Dome during Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. The game featured a host of local and

national celebrities. (Photo/E. Wheeler)

Boxing showcase Indianapolis native and WBO heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster is surrounded by ring girls. Brewster displays his Eagle Achievement Award during the Indiana Black Expo's "I am...a Champion" Boxing Showcase. Sherwin Davis (left) lands a right hook to the face of Nelson Manchego knocking him out during the boxing showcase. (Photos/J. Hurst)

College coaches debafe merifs of recruiling oneyear' players By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

Roy Williams spent three years recruiting Marvin Williams, but coached him for just one season before the freshman forward left Chapel Hill, N.C., for the NBA. The North Carolina coach considers himself lucky to have coached Williams at all. In Marvin Williams’only college season, he helped the Tar Heels win a national championship and went on to become the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft. “If you ask Roy Williams or our staff or our fans, they’re glad Marvin came to school for one year,” Roy Williams said. “Tm sure if you asked the same people at ► See MERIT, D5

GAME POINTS

Thanks for teadiingme By ERICKA P. THOMPSON Staff Writer

This is it. The last Game Points Josh and I will write or rather, argue together. I hate to say it, but since this is the finale I’ll tuck my pride in the back pocket of my Chip & Pepper jeans to say that I’ve actually learned a lot from Josh while writing this column. I know it sounds strange coming from me since I’ve won 90 percent of our arguments but it’s the truth. Josh helped me to consider other opinions besides my own. Before we began writing Game Points I was stubborn with my opinion and didn’t feel it was necessary to listen intently to someone else’s point ofview, especially his. That was actually how the column began. Josh and I argued loud and often mostly because I refused to listen to what he had to say. I was always right, why listen? Needless to say, 90 percent isn’t 100 percent so I wasn’t always as bright as I thought I was. There were many instances while we were discussing the important happenings in sports and I would hot headedly spew out my opinion and Josh would calmly prove me wrong. Not often but more than I appreciated. Josh also educated me on baseball. Though I’m still learning I know who plays what position, what a baseball pennant is, why there are so many doggone games, the top baseball players at their position and I know enough about the St. Louis Cardinal’s to feel comfortable entering a trivia contest (only if it’s multiple choice). Josh and I may not argue again in print but I guarantee there will be plenty more face-to-face disputes. I will miss our everyday banter. Last predictions: Trust me when I say the Golden State Warriors will be the surprise team in the NBA next season. They ended the season winning seven oftheir final 10 games including three in a row. I know that doesn’t sound impressive but with Jason Richardson, Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Baron Davis, and rookie Chris Taft, things are looking up. I also believe that the Indianapolis Colts will beat New England this season though the Patriots will probably win another Super Bowl. Finally, Tmgoingto stand firm with the comments I made Nov. 19 and say Ron Artest will not be an Indiana Pacer. I like him but he’s too much of aliability and I know Larry Bird knows it too. Stay tuned next week because I’ll be back though without my partner in argument.

Lessons learned By JOSHUA COHEN Staff Writer

I have some bad news for fans of Game Points. This will be my last point as I am leaving the Recorder this week. Like other greats before me, Barry Sanders, Michael Jordan (the first time) and Jim Brown, I am leaving at the top of my game. Yes I know, you are probably very upset at this but don’t worry, Ericka has learned a lot from me this past year and a half and I am confident she’ll be able to hold it down by herself. Speaking of learning, I learned a lot from my nemesis this time also. Through Ericka’s Game Points, I’ve seen a few things that I never thought about before. She showed me quite a lot about sports. First, Ericka argues when anyone says women shouldn’t be talking about sports. While we disagree almost every day on something, she still knows what she’s talking about (usually). Second she has shown me about football. I grew up a baseball and basketball player and fan, but I never got into the sport of football. I knew about it of course, and I played it in the playgrounds some with friends but I never watched it or was a fan until talking with Thompson. I also learned more about baseball because of Thompson. When I got the rare opportunity to write about it in Game Points, since she didn’t know much about it at all I not only had to be completely on point with my point, but I also had to be able to answer every question she asked me. Finally, I learned that when Ericka makes a prediction, you should listen. I didn’t give her much credit in the beginning because it seemed to me that she was just talking and I knew what I was talking about. However after a few (quite a few) of her calls were proven right, well I had to take notice and listen. Thank you, Ericka. Last predictions: The Bulls, as sad as I am to say this, won’t be as good next season. The league will catch up to them and they’re not experienced enough to adjust completely. Look for a seven or eight seed. The breakout rookie for the NBA? Watch Wayne Simien on Miami. The Cardinals will make the World Series again and while they won’t win, they will at least win a few games this time. New England will win the Super Bowl again. Michelle Wie will win a PGA event before the end of the year. And finally, Ron Artest will not finish the year as an Indiana Pacer. Thank you to those who read Game Points every week and whether you agreed or not, I hope I informed and entertained you.

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